Ken cleared over “the rough and tumble of political life”

District Coun Ken Bridger is one of those keen to save the station for the town's community. ENGEMN00120131028165909

Published:18:47Tuesday 06 January 2015

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West Lindsey District Council is to take “No Further Action” against Market Rasen Town and district councillor Ken Bridger after he poked fun at a former Mayor.

Coun Bridger burst into song at the November meeting when Rasen’s county councillor Burt Keimach was scheduled to report on county council matters.

“They seek him here, they seek him there,” was the town councillor’s musical comment, which led to Coun Keimach, a fellow district councillor, making a formal complaint to West Lindsey District Council.

A letter of decision sent to Coun Bridger said it is accepted Coun Keimach has no legal obligation to attend Market Rasen Town Council meetings but there are “general expectations” county councillors should attend “to assist with achieving effective communications between the authorities.”

“If and when this does not happen then critical comments are often made.”

These comments were “unfortunately, reported in the press,” the letter noted.

“If Market Rasen Town Council require Coun Keimach to attend their meetings more frequently, a polite, formal request would have been more appropriate than critical remarks which can be picked up by the press.

“However, the time and cost involved in carrying out a formal investigation into this matter could not be justified, but more importantly, this is an issue which reflects the type of exchanges that can and do occur frequently in public life between Councillors and as such would be deemed part of ‘the rough and tumble of political life.’

“I would however encourage that mutual respect should be demonstrated between representatives of various public authorities, even when differences arise,” it said.